Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival 2005

PERFORMERS

MAIN STAGE

Friday: Battle of the Bands Competition . Mostly Autumn . Queensbury Rules . The Family Mahone . Uiscedwr

Saturday: The Children’s Festival . Toreth . Bob Fox & Benny Graham . Eddi Reader . The Boat Band . Jon Brindley . Bellowhead . Ceilidh . Tickled Pink . Jez Lowe & the Bad Pennies . Martin Carthy . Kerfuffle

Sunday: Brian Kennedy . PJ Wright . Eliza Carthy & The Ratcatchers . Liz Carlisle & Jono Potts

FRINGE STAGES
Venues
Big Lock . King's Lock . Cheshire Cheese . Newton Brewery
Golden Lion . Boar's Head . The Narrowboat . Cats Bar
Middlewich Roman Amphitheatre

Breeze and Wilson - A gentle mix of country, blues and jazzy styles, with sweet harmonies and tight playing. You will enjoy seeing and hearing them at the Festival.

The Moobs – produce music which is original, passionate and eloquently expressive.

A Bit on the Side – new to the festival they are a fun and folky duo.

Odd at Ease - is a Southport-based folk rock band that plays a great mix of original songs by the band and traditional tunes done in the Easies' way.

Calico Jack - are back again proving once again that they can provide great live music at the festival. Their annual charity festival takes place this year on 24th – 26th June

Rory Ellis - is one of Australia’s leading new wave of acoustic performers taking audiences by storm. His music defies the simple folk categorisation using a collection of progressive contemporary and roots music influences to create a style he labels Urban Folk.

Dominic Collins - New to the festival, Dom sings funny songs delivering contemporary comedy firmly rooted in his native North West - carrying on a tradition in the region that goes back to the very famous material of Marriott Edgar. Dom goes down well wherever he goes and is surely destined for greater things. It will be a night not to be missed.

Steamhead – are back, they are a lively band who show just how good live music can be. A rock band that you can rely on to do the business.

Zingari Swing - new to the festival this year, Zingari Swing is an acoustic trio of accomplished musicians.

Isambard - For an acoustic folk three piece, Isambarde certainly make a big noise. Vocal harmonies and a touch of fiddle magic combine with driving rhythms - and an oboe! This young band is equally at home with traditional or original songs and tunes - all performed with humour, passion, insight and vigour!

Tiny Tin Lady - Liverpool indie/folk band Tiny Tin Lady play a modern twist on folk music. Already veterans of the festival circuit, they are set to perform at Glastonbury this year. They are new talent not to be missed.

Jon Brindley - A contemporary Celtic solo artist, who will take the audience on a lively journey, bringing passion and humour to music. Expect the unexpected!

Tom Lewis - a retired British Navy sub-mariner now living in Canada, has been building a formidable body of recordings of mostly-seafaring songs. If you like songs and stories of the sea, new and old, you'll certainly enjoy Tom's singing, stories and his recordings.

Weavils - a boisterous brew of hot brass and cool guitar from Cheshire’s Weaver Delta. This band is sure to provide some lively entertainment.

FESTIVAL HOSTS: THE MIDDLEWICH PADDIES again look forward to welcoming old friends and new, to the festival they started in 1990. Despite obvious signs of wear and tear they’ve now started an annual St. Patrick’s Festival (in March of course), raising funds for St. Luke’s Hospice. MANY THANKS to all who supported the 1st event which raised over £500.00

Dear Gregory - are two powerful and original singer songwriters. Adrian Dear and Phil Gregory are sure to impress.

Tom Kirkpatrick is one of the most prolific figures on the English folk scene, performing solo, in duos, acoustic groups and electric bands, and has established an enviable reputation as an instrumental virtuoso and session musician, as well as a leading interpreter of English folk music

POETRY AT THE FESTIVAL – this year the Salt Town Poets are celebrating ten years of existence with a couple of special events at M-FAB 2005. Our ever popular open mike session this year is on Friday evening at the Boar’s Head and, as always all and sundry are invited along to sing, play, recite or just listen and enjoy a few pints. We will, incidentally, be announcing the second winner of the John Brunker Trophy during the evening. On Sunday afternoon, we’ll be reviving an old event in a new (to us) location with ‘Poetry & Pints’ at the Golden Lion. We’ll be welcoming old and new friends to help us celebrate our first ten years, including very special guest Guto Dafis of Toreth.